Railway signal-torpedo.



Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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c0.. WASHINGTON D c F. BUTCHER. RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 19l5 Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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IINIIED WIATE% PATENT OFFIQE.

FRANK BUTCHER, OF VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 CENTRAL BAIL- WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL-TORPEDO.

. Application filed June 28, 1915.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DUTOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes. And pertains particularly to that class in which a paper or fiber case contains the explosive.

The object of this invention is to make a railway torpedo from a sheet of paper or fibrous material, the sheet having pressed therein an explosive receiving recess in the center thereof, and then folded, and the folds properly fastened, whereby a torpedo is provided in which there is elongated, thin ends projecting in opposite directions for the car-wheel to engage in advance of engaging the thicker explosive containing portlon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a paper or fibrous case railway torpedo in which there are provided elongated, thin oppositely projecting ends for the wheel to engage in advance of engaging the thicker explosive containing portion, and to so construct it that there are no metal portions at the ends of the case or above the explosive charge to be torn away by the explosion and sent flying through the air to injure anyone.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1' is a perspective view of a torpedo constructed in accordance with the present improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the several parts comprising the torpedo, the parts shown in their separated relation. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on the dotted line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the present invention a sheet of paper or suitable fibrous material 1 (Fig. 4:) is provided, and this sheet has a central portion 2, a side flap 3, and a side flap 4. The central or body portion 2 is provided with a pressed recess 5 in which a correspondingly shaped explosive tablet 6 is placed. Formed near the outer edge of the flap 4 are two elongated openings 7, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. as, 1915.

Serial No. 36,799.

formed near the inner edge of the flap 4: are

corresponding openings 8 which are adapted to register with the openings 7 when the flaps 3 and 1 are folded, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5.

Preferably, a waterproof cement 9 is placed in the recess 5. Preferably, a paper or fiber strip 10 is placed over the explosive tablet 6, and extends throughout the length of the torpedo case, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The flaps 3 and a will be suitably cemented together and firmly held by a suitablythin metal clip 11. In assembling the parts, the sheet is put in the position shown in Fig. l; suitable waterproof cement is placed in the recess 5, and the explosive tablet placed therein. placedover the tablet and suitably cemented; the metal clip 11 is placed through the openings 8 as shown in Fig. 4; the flap 6% then folded over with the ends 12 of the clip passing through the openings 7, and the ends 12, then bent over as shown in Figs. 8, and 5, thus clamping the folded portions in position.

For the purpose of attaching a rail-engaging strap 18 to the torpedo, suitable openings 14: are made at the intersection of the folds 3 and 4 with the body part 2, and this strap is passed through these openings between the strip 10 and the inner folded flap 3. i

A torpedo constructed as here shown provides elongated thin portions projecting beyond the explosive containing part sufficiently far to be engaged by the advancing wheel before the wheel strikes the much thicker explosive containing portion. The object of this is, that where the wheel strikes the thick explosive containing portion first, then the torpedo is sometimes popped off the rail, and especially if the rail is Wet or slippery, and to avoid this, it has been found desirable and almost necessary to sand the underside of the torpedo to prevent it from slipping or popping. With the torpedo as here made, it can not be popped from the rail, because the wheel is on the thin extended portion before it strikes the thick part, thus making it absolutely impos sible to knock the torpedo off the rail by popping.

I have here shown the torpedo with two thin extended portions to prevent any mistake on the part of the trainman in placing The strip 10 is then.

Having thus described the invention what is desired to be claimed is:

1. An improved torpedo comprising a fibrous sheet having an elongated body por-- tion, two elongated-side flaps, the body por tion having a pressed recess, an explosive within the recess, the flaps folded one upon the other and fastened in their folded positions, the body and folded portions of the flaps extending beyond the said recess sufficiently to form an elongated wheel engaging portion in advance of the thick explosive containing portion, and a rail-engaging member carried by the torpedo.

'2. An improved railway torpedo comprisin a fibroussheet having an elongated centra portion and two elongated side flaps, the central portion having midway its ends an explosive receiving recess, an explosive within the recess, an elongated strip over the explosive and extending throughout the central portion, the said elongated flaps folded inward one over the other and both overthe central body portion and secured in their folded positions, and a rail-engaging strap passing through the folded ends between the said strip and the folds.

3. An improved railway torpedo comprising a sheet having an elongated center portion and correspondingly elongated side flaps, the center portion having an explosive recess midway its ends, one of the said flaps having clip receiving openings adjacent its outer edge and the other having corresponding openings adjacent its inner edge, whereby when the flaps are folded the openings register, a clip passing through the said openings and clamping the folds together, and a rail-engaging member carried by the torpedo.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK DUTCHER.

Witnesses:

R. W. JUNKER, G. M. LEONARD.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

